Rotterdam is known to be innovative and future focused. This is certainly visible in its renowned architecture and in its urban planning. The recently completed makeover of the Coolsingel, with less space for cars, more space for cyclists and pedestrians and with more greenery is a prime example of how the municipality is actively reshaping the city to become more resilient, healthier and overall more enjoyable for all.
Over the next couple of years, a series of City Projects will give Rotterdam even more green areas, more space for leisure and cultural events, more room for housing in places where this hasn’t been possible before due to low air quality or noise pollution, and overall better air quality. The projects will make the city better equipped to deal with rainwater (collection), improve our urban mobility and reduce heat stress1. Once completed, every Rotterdammer will have access to public green space in less than a 15’ walk.
So what are these projects about? Hofplein, Schouwburgplein and Alexanderplein will become beautiful green squares with less traffic. The Westblaak will become Blaakpark and Hofbogenpark will provide a beautiful, elevated walk amongst the treetops. There will also be three new parks in South Rotterdam: the Rijnhaven Park, the Nelson MandelaPark at Maashaven and the Feyenoord Tide Park. More information on these projects is available on this Dutch website. On this page we give you some of the highlights.
1 Green spaces with a high diversity of tree species have a greater cooling effect in spring, summer and autumn. They also have a larger maximum drop in temperature in the summer, compared to spaces that are less diverse.
